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NEWS RELEASE November 14, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Arita Baaijens Carries WINGS WorldQuest Flag on Expedition to Papua New Guinea Tuesday November 22, 2016—Dutch Biologist Arita Baaijens is carrying the WINGS WorldQuest™ Flag for the second time since 2013 on an expedition to Mount Bosavi, a volcano considered sacred by the indigenous peoples in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Baaijens will conduct a 14-week ethnographic survey and employ the “deep mapping” method, a participatory mapping tool designed for hard-to-reach communities. “Biodiversity and cultural diversity are closely linked, and Papua New Guinea is a perfect example” Baaijens explained. “Extracting companies in the area are a threat to both the natural biodiversity of the land and the diversity of the autonomous indigenous cultures.” Baaijens will focus on the indigenous Kosua tribe on Mount Bosavi—observing how the complexity of the volcano’s unique ecosystem has influenced the tribe’s language, culture, and worldview. A cultural guide will introduce and acclimate Baaijens to the tribe, and then she will spend two months living as one of the Kosua hunting, eating, sleeping and socializing as they do. The deep mapping method Baaijens plans to introduce and share with the Kosua will allow them to record the ecology, geography, mythology, and linguistic history connected to places in their homeland on their own terms, which has not been accessible to date. This new and innovative technique for mapping aids indigenous communities like the Kosua to communicate with policy makers the unseen but deeply felt meaning of native flora, fauna and sacred natural sites. Deep mapping also empowers local communities to stand up for their way of life and land rights. WINGS WorldQuest is proud to have Arita Baaijens carry a second flag on this bold, trailblazing endeavor. “Arita will give voice to the unchartable with her unique method of dissecting and layering all of the critical elements that make up a culture” said Yael Jekogian, Managing Director of WINGS WorldQuest. Since 2005, more than 50 women have flown the WINGS WorldQuest flag during expeditions in over 35 countries and all of the world's continents as they pursue groundbreaking discoveries.

The WINGS WorldQuest flag is recognized as a symbol of excellence in discovery and knowledge, and certifies the significance of its carrier's endeavor. WINGS WorldQuest™ is a registered nonprofit organization founded in 2003 to recognize and support extraordinary women in science and exploration. It is the only organization of its kind, awarding unrestricted funding to women in scientific field endeavors. WINGS’ support knows no boundaries—women of all races, nationalities, ages, and cultures who show initiative, passion, and promise toward future scientific advancement have been granted funds that are often critical to seeing their ambitious ideas through. In return, they have become part of the WINGS community, and strengthen the organization’s mission to inspire the next generation of intrepid explorers and global problem-solvers through various outreach programs. For more information, visit www.wingsworldquest.org.

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